The kirkyard was originally smaller than it is today; the Barns of Hamilton vault stands near what was originally its north-western corner. The area in the middle distance, on the left, in front of the opening in the wall, was not originally a part of the kirkyard, but the latter was extended in 1878. The opening is the NS4673 : Entrance to Old Kilpatrick Cemetery; see that item for more on the extension of the kirkyard.

(Near the right-hand edge of the photograph, note that the top of a tall memorial can be seen in front of the end-wall of a house. I have not illustrated that memorial separately, since there is an overgrown enclosure in front of it, and, even from nearby, nothing can be presently be seen of it except its top. This is one of the tallest memorials in the kirkyard, but the inscription on it are hidden from view, and visitors may therefore wonder who it commemorates. In fact, it is a memorial for the Geils family; it commemorates Colonel Andrew Geils of Dumbuck, Captain John Edward Geils, and several others. For more on that family, see towards the end of the description of NS4274 : Dumbuck Quarry; see also NS3477 : Cardross Old Parish Church.)

The church was built in 1812 on more or less the same spot as its predecessor (the latter was a pre-Reformation church; it was of great age, although the precise period in which it was built is unknown).